FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam and vice president Jack Warner , who have been accused of bribery allegations, have denied any wrongdoing.
Bin Hammam has responded to allegations that he offered bribes for votes, suggesting the claim is "little more than a tactic" being used by Sepp Blatter, his opponent in next week's FIFA presidential election.
Warner told The Daily Telegraph that he “was unaware of any wrongdoing on my part”.
Bin Hammam and Warner will appear before FIFA's ethics committee on Sunday where they will answer to charges made by fellow executive committee member Chuck Blazer are proved.
Bin Hammam said in a statement: "This has been a difficult and painful day for me today. But, if there is even the slightest justice in the world, these allegations will vanish in the wind.
"This move is little more than a tactic being used by those who have no confidence in their own ability to emerge successfully from the FIFA presidential election."
Blazer, the general secretary of the CONCACAF federation of which Warner is president, has claimed that there were violations of FIFA's code of ethics during a meeting organised by Bin Hammam and Warner for Caribbean Football Union associations in the Bahamas. Two CFU officials, Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, have also been charged.
Bin Hammam added: "I remain deeply indebted to Mr Warner for his sense of fair play because without his support and understanding I would not have been able to meet with several important member associations of FIFA to discuss my election manifesto.
"Here I completely deny any allegations of wrongdoing either intentionally or unknowingly while I was in the Caribbean. I will speak to Mr Warner on this subject and offer him my full support in ensuring we are discharged honourably by the FIFA Ethics Committee, a body which I hold in the highest esteem.
"I am confident that there is no charge to answer and that I will be free to stand in the FIFA presidential election on 1 June as originally planned."
Interesting timing
Warner hinted that the charges were linked to the presidential election, in which Blatter is standing for a fourth term against Bin Hammam.
“I take note of the initiative by FIFA'S Ethics Committee and confirm that I have been invited to attend a hearing this week Sunday, May 29, 2011 in Zurich,” Warner said.
“I am unaware of the particulars of the matter being investigated by FIFA at this time, so I will therefore abstain from any comment until such time as I have been made aware of all that has been submitted to FIFA.
“It is informative to note that the CONCACAF, at its Congress in Miami on May 3, was informed of Bin Hamman being unable to get a US Visa to attend and that, as an alternative, he will like to meet the delegates in Trinidad on May 10.
“What I can say at this time is that I am not aware of any wrongdoing on my part and I shall listen to allegations made and respond accordingly.
“It is interesting to note the timing of these allegations and the hearing scheduled days before the FIFA Presidential elections.
“As this is now a formal procedure, I shall not be offering any further comment prior to the hearing on Sunday.”
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